Machine for making pearl-button blanks



Dec. 20, 1927.

H. H. KNQTT MACHINE FOR MAKING PEARL BUTTON BLANKS Filed Apilil '24, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 20, 1927.

H. H. KNOTT MACHINE Fon MAKING PEARL BUTTON BLANKS Filed April 24, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 2o, 1927. L 1,653,294

H. H. KNOTT l MACHINE FOR MAKING PEARL BUTTON BLANKS Filed April 24, 1.92.5 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 2o, 1927. '1,653,294

H. Ha' KNoTfT- M'ACHNE FORMAKING PEARL BUTTON BLANKS Fired 'Apr-i1 2 1, 9215 4 Smets-sheet 4 Patented Dec.r 2,0, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicn HARRY H. KNOTT, WASHINGTON, IOWA., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

"F./SHINGTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF VTILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A COR- roitri'rioiv oF DELAWARE.

Application inea April a4, 19,255. seriai No. 25,513.'

My invention has to do with machines tor cutting substantially rectangular button blanksI from strips of shell.

Ity is my object to provide such a machine having parte so constructed and arranged that it may have a large capacity and be operated by one workman. t

Another object isto provide in a machine of this kind endless carrying devices, each provided with a plurality of blank strip holders.

Another purpose oli my invention provide in such a machine means for inatically readjusting the remaining portion of each strip to position ior a further cuttingr operation after a blank has been cut therefrom. p

Another purpose is to provide in a inacliine ot this kinda large number of `novel combinations and mechanisms and features ot structure hereinafter morevr fully described.

llVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and ycombination ot the various parts oit my machinewhereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view ofa machine embodying my invention, parts being broken away.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the saine, paits being broken away.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the inachine, paits being broken away and parts being shown insection. s

Figure It is an elevation of part of the operating mechanism viewed from the center o'l' the machine taken on the line l--t ot Figure 3. l

is to Figure 5 is a` top or plan view ofapor-r Ation of the machine, parts being broken away and parts being showiiin section tor illustrating the strip holding devices on the endless conveyors and some of the operating cams.

Figure 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

` Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating the parte in ai'iotherfpositioii.

Figure 8v is a similar view illustratingthe parts at alittle later stage in the operation.

Figure 9 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the line QeQ-Vot Figure 6.

Figure 10 isr 'a perspective View of what I shall call the loading cani. i

'Figure 11 is a perspectivey viewof the discharging cam.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another cam, which .is the secondary cam. y f s Figure 13l is a perspective view of a movable gate ot' the shell holding device; vand 'Figure 14 is a` sectional view of adifferyent form of the shell rstrip holder.v

My present machine is one used in inaking pearl buttons. The process ofy manufacture involves cutting shells into strips byV a machine designed forthat purpose. "These strips are then cut into substantially rectangular' blanks by the presentfmachine. The blanks are then rounded and finished on other' machines. s f

The process herek mentioned involves a radical departure "from previous commer cial practice, and is referred to vin certain ficient speed and capacity to be coininercially practical, it is necessaryto provide mechanism ,tor delicately handling' the strips and for adjusting the strips for a` series `ofcutting operations., This mechanism must be such as will handle strips of a great variety ot shapes and sizes.k

In my present machine, I have provided series of shell strip holders supported on a continuously moving conveyor or carriage. Suitable means are provided for successive` ioo ly subjecting the shell strip in each holder to a sawing operation, dropping out the sawed blank, adJusting the remaining strip foranother sawing operation, and repeating the series of operations till the strip has been cut into substantially rectangular blanks.

In a general way, it may be said that my improved machine comprises a main frame on which is a plurality of laterally spaced endless conveyor chain structures, a pair of such conveyors being shown in this instance. Each chain structure carries a plurality of shell strip holders, each comprising a compartment, movable strip engaging fingers and a movable closure bottom or gate. r'he holders are loaded with shell strips at the front of the machine and as the upper stretches of the chain structures move rearwardly in the machine, rectangular blanks are cut from the strips. The gate and the holding lingers are operated by cams for discharging the blanks and releasing the strips to permit them to drop to position for cutting the next successive blank after each cutting operation.

rlhe chain structures and associ ated parts are made substantially in duplicate simply for the purpose of increasing the capacity of the machine, and l do not desire in any way to limit myself to having one, two or any particular number of chain structures, although in the machines which have been built, two ychain structures are employed.

rIhe frame of my machine is indicated generally by the reference character and is of proper size, weight and form to support the operative mechanisms. The frame may be supported upon legs 11. At the rear of the machine, a bracket frame 12, shown in Figure 3, is supported on the frame as on the rear legs 11. A transverse, driving shaft 13 is mounted in suitable bearings 1-l-,`which may be of the ball bearing type, on the bracket frame 12.

On the shaft 13 is a suitable gearing device, such as the belt pulley 15 from which rotation is transmitted to the shaft 13 for operating the mechanism of the machine.

Saws.

For each endless conveyor device, a series of saws is arranged in a. row longitudinally of the machine.

lVhere the conveyor devices are in duplicate as here illustrated, there'are two opposite rows of saws.

Mounted at the sides of the machine are upright brackets 16, which are supported in the following manner: Below one end of each bracket 16 is a lug` 17 (see Figure 2) upon which the bracket is pivoted as by means of a bolt 18. This construction is illustrated also in Figures 1, where one of the brackets is shown in section at the lower left-hand part of the ligure.

The bolt 13 is extended through a leg 19 of the bracket 13, At the other end of each bracket 1G is a leg 2O having therein a slot 21 (see Figure 1) elongated on the arc of a circle, having its center at the center of the pivot bolt 18. Below eachleg 2O is a lug 22 from which a pin 23 extends upwardly into the slot 21.

A set screw 2d mounted in the leg 2O projects into the slot 21 and limits the inward swinging movement of the bracket 1G.

Each bracket 16 rotatably supports at its upper end a saw 25.

For operating the saws, there is mounted in each bracket a shaft 26 on which the saw is liked.` On each shaft 26 is a belt pulley 27. At the rear of the machine on the side thereof opposite the belt pulley 15, the bracket 12 is provided with an upward eX- tension 28 on which are ball bearings or the like 29, in which an upright shaft 30 is journaled. (See Figure On the shafts 13 and 30 are fixed inter meshing beveled gears 31 and 32, whereby rotation is transmitted from the shaft 13 to the shaft 30. y

On the upper end of the shaft 30 is a belt pulley 33 in horizontal alignment with the belt pulleys 2T. On the belt pulley-33 is a belt 34, which is threaded around the outer and forward faces of the rearward pulley 2T on the left-hand of the machine, thence across the machine around the opposite pulley 27, thence back across the machine around the next forward pulley 27 on the left side of the machine, thence across the machine around the opposite pulley on the right side, and so on until the belt has been threaded around all of the pulleys 2T.

Itis then extended around an idler pulley suftably supported on the left-hand side of the machine, as shown in Figure 1,-and thence around the belt tightener pulley 36 back to the pulley The belt tightener pulley 36 is mounted on a swinging arm 37 and is held in contact with the belt 3l for tightening the same by means of a weight 38 supported on a rope or cable or the like 39.

rlhe cable 39 is extended over a suitably supported pulley 40 (see Figures 1 and 3) and is secured to the arm 3i', as shown in Figure 1.

Suitable casings 41 are provided for the pulleys 33, 35 and 36 as illustrated in Figure 1.

Casings 42 for the saws 25 are provided. rl"he casings 42 have suitable slots in their walls as indica-ted at 43 in Figure 1, through whichthe saws project inwardly in the machine.

Connected with the casings 42 are dust take-off pipes 4d. The dust take-off pipes Lll are connected by flexible tubes 45 v(see Figure 2) with a manifold i6 from which the dust is drawn through thepipe 4.7 by

ISU

llU

suction. One manifold 4t@ is provided for each row of sawsj It may be notedv that the manifold omitted from the lower part otfFigure 1 andv parts are shown in section on various lines for purposes of better illustration.

The manilolrr 't6 are supportedon croi-'s bars 48 resting on 4suitable brackets 49 eX- tending upwardly from the main frame 1() as shown in l`igures2 and 3.

It may be briefly noted in this connection that the upper stretches of the endless conveyors move rearwardly in the machine and that the arrangement oit the belt 34 is such that'the various saws rotate as indicated by the arrow on the middle righthand5saw in Figure l, so as. to cut against the path of movement of the endless conveyors.

Et may be mentioned at this time that the belts,- all tend to pull the saws inwardly in the machine. rIhe inward movement is limited and Controlled by the set screws 24- and the belt tightener pulley 36.

It is desirable tohave ksome inward and outward adjustment oit the shaftson which the saws are mounted, these being the shafts which carry the belt pulleys 27 in order to take into account-the variation in the diameter ot the saws, as they become worn and are rediled.

This adjustment is had through the sety screws 2st. which permit adjustment oit' the brackets that carry the saws.

Endcss carriers met shell strip 'holders At the front and rear of the machine are transverse shafts 50 and 51. The shaft .50 is mounted in bearings 52 shown in Figures 1 and 2. These bearings have elongated slots 58 through which are extended screw bolts 54- mounted in the trame of the -machine.

By loosening the screw bolts, the bearings with each other also in the manner herein.

at'ter described,

so as to best operate in pairs.

There is arranged in the machine ormii'ig'y part ot both of` the endless conveyors, a series of spacedV cross bars 61 Extending forwardly in the machine 'from each cross har G1 is a pair ol arnisk62 and 63 (see Figure 1) and extendingrearwardly is a similar pair of arms (it and 65. (See Figures 1 and i '.lllie arms (ifand (35 extending forwardlyv and rearwardly trom the bar 61 may form a continuous rib across the ktopuot' the bar, as illustratedy for instance in Figure '1, whereas the arms (S2 and (Set are so arranged :is to permit space between thenr ,tortlm`v pivot forv the shell engaging [ingers hereinaffter referred to. l f

Each pair of forwardly extending arms G2 and (i3 is pivoted'by means of a pinte G6 tothe rearwardly extending arms 64 and ($5 ot the next forward cross bar member 61. The cross bars `and their connected arms thus form linlrs and provide practically two .spacedy endless cross members 61.

It should be noted that the arms forming the linls as hereinbefore explained have chains connected by the roller carrying extensions (i6a projecting trom saidarms downwardly, for instance in the upper stretches' ot the endless conveyor device or upwardly `in the lower stretches thereof, so that in the upper stretches ofl the endless conveyor device, the rollers 67 projectbelow the bars 61 to a substantial degree as clearly illustrated in "Figures 2 and vOn each: pintle 66 between the arms 62 and 68y is a roller. G7 adaptedat the proper points in the progress of the endless conveyor structures to coact with the notches 60.` The length ot such rollers is greater than the thickness of the sprockets 57 and 58 at thev notches 60. f

Suitably mounted on the frame at spaced points between the 4shafts 50 and 51 are brackets 6,8. 'Supportedonthe brackets 8-`beneaththe upper stretches of the endless conveyorsare angle bars 69,'the vertical flanges ot which serve as tracks upon which the rollers 7,67 travel rThe horizontal flanges of the angle .tracks 69 terminate at suchpoints as illustrated at A (Figure 1) while the vertical flangesr rextend alongside the sprockets'57 and 5,8, as illustratedat B in Figure A1 in 1 Such manner that' the rollers 67 -may travel along saidr tracks and smoothly enter the notches 60.l i

The cross bars 61 have lugs 70 projecting theretron'n Supported on pinsly on the lugs 70 vare rollers'72 (see Figures 1 and It will be noted that the rollers 72 vare arranged near the middle of the machine.

In the lupperpart of the machine,`longi tudinally arranged, parallel bars 73 are spaced, from each otheplin such `Ina-nner that the rollers 72 travel kbetween them for thus taking the lateral thrust of the endless conveyor devices. f

On each bar 61 is mounted a. roller 74 which projects upwardly from the upper bars 61 Avand: downwardly from the lower icc i an

bars 61 about midway of the length of said bars.

A centrally arranged bar is mounted on the machine extending longitudinally thereof and is so located that the rollers 7 4 of the lower stretch of the endless conveyor structures travel on the bar 75 as illustrated in Figure 2 for preventing sagging of the parts.

It will thus be seen that I have provided what may be called a pair of endless conveyor chains connected by the cross barsV 61. The cross bars 61 each have at their free ends the forwardly extending arms 62 and 68 and the rearwardly extending arms 64 and 65. The arms of each cross bar 61 are pivotally connected with the arms of the next cross bar 61 on both sides of the particular bar under consideration.

SwZZ strip holders.

Supported on the endless conveyor structures are shell strip holders. Mounted on the outer side of each arm 65 is a shell strip holder member, which for convenience I will call the receiver. This is a box-like structure, which will be seen by reference to Figures 8, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, and consists of an inner wall 76 having at one end a downward extension 77 (see Figure 8) an outer wall 78, a cross wall 79 at the follower end of the receiver, and a curved bottom member 8O terminating substantially short of the cross wall 79.

There is thus left an open passage 81 at one end of the bottom member 8O adjacent to the cross wall 79.

Considering` the part-s in their position while in the upper stretch of the conveyor, .it will be noted that the cross wall 79 below the level of the bottom member 8O is inclined away from the bottom member 89 as at 79a. The face of the extension 7 7 is provided with a groove, as at 82, designed to receive the saw blade, so as to permit a shell strip in the receiver to be sawed entirely through without permitting the saw teeth to strike the eX- tension 77.

The outer wall terminates at its lower edge flush with the edge of the groove 82. (See Figure The wall 76 is secured to the arm 65 by means of screw bolts 88. The wall 78 is provided with holes 84 opposite the screw bolts 88 to permit the insertion of a screw driver for working on the screw bolts 88.

Below the outer side 78, a side plate is secured to the lower part of the cross wall 79 below the Oroove 82 by means of Ya screw bolt 86.

It may be said in this connection that the cross wall 79 has a groove or slot 82 (Figure 8) extending across it for the reception of the saw.

Within the receiver adjacent 'to the lower part of the cross wall 7 9 is a rubber block Mounted on the upper portion of the cross wall 79 is a spring device 91 which normally projects slightly away from the wall 79 into the receiver, as illustrated in FigureAx 8. The purpose of this spring device will be hereinafter again referred to.

The mussel shells from which buttons are made are cut into strips by another machine and the strips are fed into the receiver now being described in any suitable way with one end projecting downwardly through the opening 81. e

For holding the strips in the receiver, I provide a movable bottom member or gate arranged substantially below the opening 8l, and I provide upper and lower engaging tingers adapted to engage the shell strip above and below the saws. In the accompanying drawings, I have indicated the shell strip by the reference numeral 92.

To prevent the shell strip 92 from dropping out of the receiver when it is fed thereinto in the upper stretch of the endless conveyor, I provide a movable bottom or gate member 98 for the receiver. This gate member 98 is shown in perspective in Figure 13 on the first sheet of the drawings.k It is pivoted on a pin or bolt or the like 94 supported on the cross bar 61 between the receivers and the rollers 74.

This movable gate 98 is shown in Figures 6 and 8 in its closed position and in Figure 7 in its open position.

In its closed position, it will, of course, be understood that the gate 98 forms a closure member for the bottom of the receiver below the opening 81.

Means for swinging the gate 98 on its pivot will be described hereafter.

Above the gate 98 so arranged as to travel below the saws 25 is mounted on each pin 94 a lower shell engaging finger 95 having in one end an extension 95a shown in Figures 5 and 6, which extension is adapted in one position of the pivotal movement of the tinger 95 to project below the opening 81 for iolding the lower part of a shell strip against the rubber block 88 as illustrated in Figure 6.

Theextension 95a has preferably a rubber tip 96 for engaging the shell. The method for operating this linger device will be hereinafter' explained.

An upper finger 97 is pivoted on the same pin 94 already referred to at such a point that (referring to the parts in the upper .stretch of the endless conveyor structure) the engaging finger 97 is above the saw.

The finger 97 has at one end an extension 98 adapted to project into the receiver below the opening 81 so as to engage the shell strip 92, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

lll)

l will now refer to thekmeans for operat! ing fingers 95 and 97, i

It may be mentioned that these fingers and the gate member are always normallyl held.`

in closed position 'bt7 `means of springs 99, 100, and 101. (See *igures Zand 5.)

For opening thev engaging lingers and gate `at the proper times in the travel of the endless conveyor devices, l provide a series of cams. ,y

Extending lengthwise of the machine below the bars 61 and supported on the bracle ets 68 is a longitudinallyarranged bar 102. (Figs. 1, 3 and 5.) n

The engaging lingers and the gate member 93 have portions extending toward the center of the machine a snihcient distance yso that the operating cams :for the upper stretch or the endless conveyor structure for properly actuating said engaging fingers and gates during the sawing operations, maybe located on said bar 102.

What I may callthe opening cani is shown in Figure 10. It comprises a bracket device 103 having a sleeve 104; mounted on the' shaft 50. The bracket 103 fixed toene end of the bar 102. vSupported on the bracket 103 and on the bar `102-is a' double cani 105. This cam is double -toroperating the engaging ngers ,on both sides of the machine. o

When the receivers travel upwardly over the sprockets 57 at `the torwardyend or the machine, the inwardly extendingarms of the eng efing lingers `95 and 97 strike the rorward ends of the double cam 105, thus swinging the engaging lingers on the pivotr pins 911 for causing the extensions 95a`fan'df98 to be held in their open positions as illustrated in Figure 8during a substantial distance olf the travel oi' the receiver. y

lVliile the engaging fing-.ers are thus both in open position, such being the position illustrated in Figure 8, one shell strip is dropped into each receiver where it occupies the general position shown in Figure 8.

Shortly thereafter the engaging lingers reach the inclined portions 100 oit the doul ble cam 105and the springs 100 and 101 move theengaging lingers 95 and 97 on the pivot pin 94 until the `sections 95a and 98 engage the shell strip, as illustrated in Figi ure G, firmly gripping its'lower portion against the rubber block '88 and its upper portion against the spring. 91, and pressing said spring against the cross wall 79.

As the receivers' advance, theygreach the lirst. saws, and a shell blank107- iscut from the strip 92 by t-he saw 25, `as illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 9. t y Certain of the details of. the sawing op# eration and of the structure of the 'gate 93 will be hereafter referred to.

u There is providedyonlthe bar 1021a series of triple cams C, onek of which is shown in perspective `iinFigure 11, arranged for operating the engaging fingers and gate after each sawing operation. n

In Figure 6, the parts are illustrated in their .position during the sawing operation. Immediately after the completion of each sawing operation andas the strip holders niove rearwardly in ,the machine, the inwardly projectingportion of the gatey engages t-he `shoulder 1080i' `thecam member 109 of thetriple cam C. v(See Figure 5.)

kAt the same time, the inwardly .projecting portion oit the lower engaging arm 95 en`l gagestheshoulder 110 oi the cam member 111 of thetriple cam C. yThe gate 93 and engaging .finger 95 arethenmoved to their positions illustrated in Figure 7', which permits the shell blank 107 to be dropper doWn wardly into the chute'l12, the lower parts of whichare laterally inclined and may discharge into any suitablereceptacle provided for the blanks. Thechutes 112 are-,supported at their` upper ends yon the angle tracks 69,?by rivets, or bolts 112a vand at their-lower ends on the frame 10 by screws 112bv as` shown in Figure 3.k n f The cams C and the chutes 112are so` ar ranged as not to kkinteifere'with the. belty 34. This fact explains why iii-Figure f5, the'cams C and chutes 112 are' slightly staggered at some `places in the machine.

. As 4the shell strip holders move rearwardly i in the machine,-the ygate quickly passes vthe portion 113 of thecam 109 (see Figure 11)l and begins to slide ldown the inclined face 114; of said cainlt'or permitting the gate to close.'

oit' the cam `member 111 for' some distance after the gate has closed.'l `This is i'or the vpurpose of permitting the remaining por` the :position shown in rFigure"to Athe posi- 116 of the cam member 117 of the'triple 'cani C for, moving the linger 97 to inoperative position where itreleases thersfhell strip.y

kThe 'linger 95 travels alengthe face 115 Thereulion the shell stripdrops from the 7 position shown in Figure 7 to the' position: shown 1n Figure 8. Thisdropping `may be assisted by mechanismk which will be hereinai'ter more fully rei-'erred toin the `fuller description of the operation of 'the machine.

Whenv the finger-95 clears the facell and begins traveling down the inclined face 118,

.n the nger 95 moves toposition for-engaging thelower part of the' shell blank belowy the saw level, the position beingillustrated in Figure 56.l

. for another sawing operation, which occurs when the holder moves to position for co` operation with the neXt succeeding saw.

As many saws may be provided as is desired. I preferably employ live saws ona side, because ordinarily live saws will cut the shell strip into siX parts and this is as many as the ordinary strip will supply.

It sometimes occurs that there is a small piece of .shell strip left when the holders travelV around the sprockets 58, and I have therefore mounted on the bracket structure 68 at the lower part thereof a double cam 121, shown in Figures 3 and 12, having the two inclined or cam faces 122.

This cam 121 is so arranged that as the inverted holders travel forwardly in the machine, after they have traveled around the sprocket-s 58, the inwardly projecting portions of the fingers 95 and 97 engage the .shoulders 123 for causing the lingers to be moved to inoperative position for releasing and dropping any shell parts that may re.

main in the holders. The lower strip of the endless conveyor is omitted from Figure 3 to better illustrate the parts.

The parts are preferably so arranged that all the saws operate simultaneously.`

Shell holder advancing means.

The shell holders are advancedV by rotation of the shaft 51 and the sprockets 57 and 58. The mechanism for rotating the shaft 51 will now be described.

On the shaft 13 is a fixed pulley 124 and adjacent thereto a loose pulley 125. Suitably mounted on a bracket 126 (Figure 2) is a stub shaft 127 on which is a pulley 128. A belt 129 travels on the pulley 128 and on either of the pulleys 124 or 125.

l provide a belt shifter for moving the belt 129 from the pulley 124 to the pulley 125 or back. This belt shifter comprises a transverse rod 130 shown in Figure 3, having the downwardly projecting lingers 131 receiving between them the belt 129.

At the side of the machine, the rod `130, as shownin Figure 2, is pivoted to a lever rod 132 which extends toward .the forwardY end of the machine at the side thereof. The rod 132 is pivoted on the bracket 133, as at 134 (Figures 1 and 2) and projects forwardly to position where it is readily accessible to the operator.

A support 135 may be provided for the rod 132. By shifting the belt, the strip holders may be thrown into and out of gear.

On the shaft 127 is a beveled gear 136 shown in Figure 2, which meshes with a beveled gear 137 on an upright shaft 139 suitably journaled on the bracket 126.

On the shaft 139 is a worm 149, which meshes with a worm wheel 141 loosely mounted on a stub shaft 142 extending from a boss on one of the legs 11 of the machine. I

The mechanism for transmitting motion from the shaft 142 to the shaft 51 is shown as viewed from the side of the machine in Figure 2, and as viewed from the inside of the machine in Figure 4.

Pivoted on the stub shaft 142 is an upwardly projecting arm 143.

' Secured in the arm 143 are stub shafts 144 and 145. Loosely mounted on the shaft 142 and secured to the worm wheel 141 is a spur gear 146 meshing with a spur gear 147 on the shaft 144. rlhe spur gear 147 meshes with a spur gear 148 on the shaft 145. On the shaft 51 is a large pinion 149. A short shaft 150 is mounted on a stud 151 on the frame. (Figs. 3, 4.)

Loosely mounted on the shaft 150 is a spur gear 152 arranged in mesh with the pinion 149. Fixed to the spur gear 152 but arranged olf-center on the shaft 150 is a spur gear 153, which meshes with the spurgear 148.

For holding the spur gears 153 and 148 in mesh, the following means is provided.

0n the shaft 145 is mounted a disc 154,

- the circumference of which is on the pitch line of the gear 148.l Fixed to the gear 153 and rotatably mounted olf-center on the shaft-150 is a disc 155 (see` Figure 2), the circumference of which is on the pitch line of the gear 153.

rfhe discs 154 and 155 are rotatably received in a plate 156 for the purpose of holding the edges ofthe discs in contact and holding the gears 153 and 148 in mesh.

1t will be seen that rotation of the worm gear 141 rotates the 146, the` gear 147, the gear 148and tie gear 153.which imparts 4rotation to the gear 152 which is secured to the gear 153 and thereby rotates the gear 149. Y

On account of the eccentric mounting of the gear the rotation imparted to the gear 149 is irregular in speed due to the varying radius of the teeth on the gear The parts are so arranged that. the gear 149 is slowed down for slowing down the movement of the sprockets 58 and the shell strip holders during the sawing operation, and is speeded up for speeding upV the travel of the shell strip holders between the sawing operation.

In Figure 14, I have shown a slightly dif-` 'Ill ferent forni of theshell strip holderin which the spring clip 91 and the rubber block 8S are omitted. l i

Operon/Lonl will now describe in greater detail, the voperation of my improved shell blank inail:- ingmaehine and during suoli description will explain in ,greater detail certain features ol" the struoture of. the machine. p

tiluitably. njioiiinted at the -liront' of the niaehine aboifetit isa .hopper 157y l'ijonir which a Vcliute 158 entends downwardly vand forwardlyto aV transversely arranged-box or the Vlike 155i supported on brackets at the front ,ot the machine.

The operatortfles the shell strips ronr the box 159 and inserts them largeend; down into the holders inx approximately the posi# tion illustrated instance in Figure 8.

rFhis Vis done during the time the loading cani structure, illusti. jd in Figure 10, is

holding the engaging lingers and 97 in (See Figures 2,

device Qllagainstthe `forwardtace ot the wall T9, as shownl in LFigure 6,

iilloi' the shell holdersiareloaded as travel upwardly `around the sprockets 5'i'.-`k V its the shell holders more yrearwardly in the machine, the iiirst sawing operation ool,

ou rs.'

lt will be remembered lthatiithe wall 7810ik the shell holder seeF i gure 9) stands above the saw level and the plate orwall member S5' standsv below thesaw level, thus leavinga slot through which the sawmay project into the shell holders. ,n y "ine extension 77 has a groove S72, which during the sawing operation is'von a level fiiith the saws to permit the saws to saw enthrough the shell strip without Conf` 'tao with the extension 77 otthewall 76.,4 :itiloinetiines the sl ell Astrip breaks l'or dieated at"161 in short distance as `i ure Sl; j f

tThis is' Caused by the adjutliient of the4 saw not allowing it tofezitendinto the groote oon* O l holder a 1.611

ing operation is completed, the cam 0k `itions shown in Figure 6 foifholding'` thel v ln this event the spring tension ofthe linge is v and 97 pressing against the shell strip 191, `(which has itsoutwardlycurved side against'the back wall vofthe shell ,strip pocket) is sujjliioient to cause the break y f f u thek sawing operationfit is speededup be- When the shell strip does so break instead of being sawed entirely through, there isy likely to` be left a sharp point at the point ol breakage 161, so that when the upper portion oi"I the shelly strip'isdropped' downwardf ly from ,i its position shownin F iguie'7 to the position shown for instance in Figure 8,*the pointthusmentioned would rest upon the gate 93. i

vThe result ot this,

cut would not be ot' the properl width from f top torlbottom. j Y

. In order to provide for suoli contingencies, tliegate 9311s` provided with a notch 162,

shownin Figure 13, and also inI Figure 9,

whereA the short extension caused bythe breaking ol' the strip is indi reference character 163.

This extensionV 163 drops into the slot 162/1` so that the smoothly sawed underk surface oit the .blank 1,07 may rest upon kthe gate 93.

.Vi/Yhenthe holder advances aiterthe saws) is reached and the gateand the lower engaging linger 95 are openedy and released.

They then stand in the position shown in Figure and the shell blank 10T, which has been cutoi'i' drops in-to the chute 112. The finger 97 is then moved to inoperative position, as shown-in Figure 8. l y

For insuring the positive movement, ot' the remaining portion of the shell strip down- `wardly iii-the holder, I have providedithe following ineans Supportedv on the cross `members 18 are longitudinally arranged strips 164, shown in Figures land 8. Pivoted to the kstrips loiy and r`lianging downwardly therefrom are short strips 165 having in their lower forwerd faces notches 166.V `'l'hese strips 165 are so arranged that they-` stand in thepath of y yif y unprovided foi, would be that the shell `blank 107 next to be fated by the ioo ther shell lstrips 92 for engagingthe upper portions of said shell strips, as shown in 4Figure 8, kjust after `the engaging lingers 9T open or move to inoperativeposition.

It should have been mentioned perhaps that before the shellstrips reach the strips f 1 165, and `immediately following the opening oi'i'he engaginolingers 97, the springsfllv hiel;v the shell strips rearwardly slightly to insure that thelower ends of the shell strips will-clear the rubber bloclrs'SS and drop downwardly uponthe gates 93. (See ure 8.)

The liOtehes v166 are beyeledvand the strips 165 areof light-,weight "so that immediately alter the closingoit thelingers 9`and 97,` the strips 165 slide freely over the shell strips andthe walls 79.`

vThe, sawing operationis repeated until all `vthe saws have' operated or fthe shell strips .of the length being used have been sawed up;

v 'It theyoperation is slowed down during tween sawing operations in the manne]- hereinbejlore referred to.

lt there are any pieces ot shell strips left in the holders, alter they pass over the sprockets 58, such pieces are dropped out by virtueel the operation oit the cam lill.

ns the saws are liled and become smaller in diameter, they may be adjusted inwardly by means ot 'the set screws 2st hereinbelore referred to.

lt will be seen that this machine provides a means whereby the operator may load the shellholders with speed and that thereafter the operation of the machine is automatic.

rl`his machine is one ot a series of machines.

`lt will be umlerst-ood that a different machine is used for cutting the shells into strips, then the strips are eut into blanlrs by the present machine and another machine rounds the blanks.

lt should perhaps be mentioned that heretofore the process generally used for cutting button blanks has been Vthat in which round blanks were cut trom` the shells by means oi tubular saws. l have den'i-onstrated that by the method employed in the series of machines just mentioned a very substantial larger number ol blanks is secured from the shells and the total process may be so speeded up that buttons may be made with a very substantial saving of labor and time.

lt will be noted that the side thrust is minimized by the arrangement of the saws in opposite pairs and also by the use of the bars 6l, the rollers 72 and the bars 73.

Another advantage of the structure here disclosed arises trom the iact that the blanks cut from the thiclrer portions of the shells, by the 'forward saws are discharged into chutes by themselves, whereby the thicker blanks are sorted and separated from the thinner ones. i

l have shown inlligure'll, the shell holders, without the clips 91, the rubber blocksV 85% or the devices 165. I believe they may be dispensed with in actual practice, and in a machine which l have built, have found the operation successful without them.

lt will of course be A understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangen'ient of the parts `of my improved machine without vdeparting from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, andv it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalcnts,which may be reason- `ably included within their scope. i

l claim as my invention:

l. ln a machine of the class described, a frame, `a series of saws supported thereon, an Vendless conveyor structure having shell holders, each provided with side walls and one end wall, a spring adjacent said end wall and'seeured thereto, a movable gate and' 2. In a machine ot' the class described, a

trame, a plurality of saws-thereon, an endless conveyor device having a series of shell holder receptacles, each of saidV shell holder receptacles having side walls and one end wall, a movable gate and a pair of movable lingers or'cooperating with each holder for holding a shell in position to be sawed, said c fingers being arranged to be above and below the saws during the sawing operation, means 'lor opening the gate and moving the lower linger to inoperative position alter each sawing operation, said means being adapted to release the gate and permit it to close before the lower linger is permitted to move back t0 operative position, means for then moving the upper linger to inoperative position, and a lriclrer spring on said holder for thenl actuating the shell remaining in the holder.

ln a machine of the class described, a trame, a plurality ot' saws thereon, an endless conveyor device having a series of shell holder receptacles, each of said shell holder receptacles having side walls and one end wall, a movable gate and a pair oit' movable lingers tor cooper-ating with each holder for holding a shell in position to be sawed, said fingers being arranged to be above and below the saws during the'sawing'operation, means :tor opening the gate and movingthe lower linger to inoperative position after each sawing operation, said means being adapted to release the gate and 'permit it to close be'lore the lower linger is Vpermitted to move back to operative position, means for then moving the upper linger to inoperative position, a kicker spring on said holder 'for then actuating the shell remaining n'theaholder, and a hook lor engaging the free end of the shell `for then moving it toward sawing position.

l. ln a machine oit the class described, a trame, a plurality of saws mounted thereon for rotation, an endless carrier device having thereon a series of shellVv stripv holders Or pockets 'each having side walls and an end wall at one end thereof anda bottom terminatingshort of the end wall, a movable gate adapted to normally stand below the side walls for supporting a shell strip, a pair of y movable lingers adapted during the sawing operation to be above and below the saw for.

holding a shell strip in sawing position resting on said gate, and means for4 actuating said gate and lingers for holding them in operating position during the sawing operation and for then releasing the sawed blank, closing the gate, and releasing the remaining ll O shell element, a hook pivoted on said 'frame short of the end wall, a movable gate adapt-` ed to normally stand below the open space between the bottoni and the end wall, and a pair ot movable fingers adapted during the sawing operation to be above and below the saw for holding a shell strip in sawing position resting on said gate, and means for actuating said gate and fingers for holding them in operating position during the sawing operation and for then releasing the sawed blank, closing the gate, releasing the remaining shell element and subsequently moving the fingers to operative position, and means for positively moving the shell toward sawing position while the fingers are inoperative, said endless carrier device traveling in substantially a. horizontal plane, and

-means for rendering the fingers of the lower stretch of the carrier device inoperative at one period in the movement of the device.

6. In a structure of the class descrlbed, a

holder for curved shell strips comprising a wall, a pair of fingers for holding the outwardly curved side of the shell strip aga-inst said` wall, a saw for cutting the strip between ythe lingers, said fingers serving to breakthe strip adjacent the saw cut when the cut is vnearly completed.

s 7. In a structure oi the class described, an endless carrier, shell strip pockets carried thereby, lingers extending into each pocket for holding the strip therein, a gate against which the shell strip rests, saws for cutting the shell strip into blanks, mea-ns for releas` ing the fingers and the gate (for releasing the blank and moving the stript-o a new position, said endless carrier inverting the 3* pockets and means for moving the fingers while thev pockets are invert-ed and thereby releasing any shell strip held by them.

8. In a structure of the class described, a

holder for curved shell strips comprising a H wall, a pair of fingers` for holding the 0ut` HARRY H. KNOTT.` 

